Junkies: NBA Superstar Dwyane Wade Is A Father First

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 29: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena on November 29, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade joined the Junkies on Friday to talk about basketball, family and his new book “A Father First.”

Wade grew up in Chicago with a mother addicted to heroin. “My mom was struggling with her addiction for most of my childhood,” he told the Junks.

At around 9 years old, Wade went to live with his father. “My dad made sure we were tough. We played basketball without calling fouls,” he said.

Cakes asked Wade if his tough childhood gave him second thoughts about becoming a dad. ” I wanted to show that I could do it,” he said. “That attitude me a great father.”

Coming out of high school, Wade wasn’t highly recruited by major college programs. “I kind of came out of nowhere,” he said. He decided to play at Marquette and while he was in college he got to practice against pros like Ray Allen, who played for the Bucks at the time.

Since entering the NBA in 2003, Wade and the Miami Heat have won two NBA titles. “Winning a championship is one of the hardest things you can accomplish in life,” he told the Junkies.

Wade told J.P. that playing teams like the Wizards “are the scariest games…because they come out and have nothing to lose.”

E.B. suggested that Wade take up rollerblading as part of his off-season training regimen because he’s seen an increase in his vertical at age 42. Wade wasn’t that cised to strap on skates. “Yeah, that might not happen,” he laughed.